Climate Change

City of Vaughan has declared a climate emergency
 

On June 4, 2019, Mayor and Members of Council unanimously passed a Members’ Resolution to declare a climate emergency in the City of Vaughan, after a deputation by students from Thornhill Woods Public School. Members of the school’s EcoCommittee first delivered a presentation about the impacts of climate change, and then requested Mayor and Council to declare a climate emergency.

 

See the full text of the City’s declaration

 

In addition to naming and reaffirming the City’s commitment to climate action, the declaration also directs staff to report back to Mayor and Council on a variety of related projects and initiatives to ensure ongoing tracking of progress and impact of the City’s declaration.

 

The City joins a growing list of cities worldwide (including 31 Canadian municipalities) who have deepened their commitment to climate action by declaring a climate emergency.

 

Since the declaration, the City had made progress toward climate actions:

  • Green Directions Vaughan 2019 was approved by Council in December 2019.
  • Council approved the Local Improvement Charges (LIC) Feasibility Study, as an initiative demonstrating progress on climate change, and endorsed a draft implementing by-law. Staff are evaluating next steps to capitalize a home energy retrofit program. Learn more about Vaughan's LIC Study.
  • The City and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority are partnering to bring a Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP) to Thornhill. SNAP is about neighbourhood revitalization to make our communities more sustainable and aims to identify innovative solutions to community risks and challenges.
  • The Vaughan Official Plan Review (OPR) is underway and will include a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Framework as a supporting study.

 

Initiatives arising from this Community Climate Action Plan will work to reduce overall GHG emissions in Vaughan while positively impacting the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the community.


Interested in finding out more?
Want to get involved?
Contact environment@vaughan.ca.